Dental retainer for matrix strips



Oct. 23, 1951 D. REITER 2,572,198

DENTAL RETAINER FOR MATRIX STRIPS Filed July 12, 195o v s sheets-sheet 1 Oct. 23, 1951 D. REITER 2,572,198

DENTAL RETAINER FOR MATRIX STRIPS Filed July 12, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. l//D @IF/TEE BVA.

Oct. 23, 1951 D. REITER 2,572,198

DENTAL RETAINER FoR MATRIX STRIPS EiIed JuIy I2, 195o s sheets-sheet s INVENTOR. D/W/D E50-EQ 'y BY l rraeA/fy Patented Oct. 23, 195i UNITED STATES' PATENT OFFICE 16 Claims.

The present invention is directed to dental appliances, more particularly to a novel construction of a retainer for matrix strips or bands.

In making fillings for teeth, it is customary to remove the decayed portion and surround the tooth with a metal or plastic band and introduce the lling material into the space bounded by said band. For this purpose, it is necessary to supply means for holding the band in position and this has been accomplished by various appliances. Most of them include a number of screw threaded members and holding devices, whereby the ends of the strip or band are held in position with means for tightening the band to cause it to adhere closely to the teeth.

However, devices of this kind had numerous disadvantages and various difficulties arose in the use thereof. Because of the use of threaded members for anchoring the ends of the band, the latter became mutilated by the action of the locking screws. Also the ends of the bands usually extended at angles from the appliance so that the ends or edges thereof contacted with the gums or the cheek and caused injury thereof. There was also a diculty in the dentist manipulating the device in that the elements were rather large and it was necessary for the dentist to rotate the threaded members by placing his fingers in the mouth of the patient. Even when the band was in place, it did not conform with the shape and irregularities of the various teeth so that leakage of the lling material took place during the packing thereof into the cavity so that shoulders were formed at the gum line which trapped food and caused decay to set in. Most of such devices were not only clumsy and difficult to adjust but were expensive and unsatisfactory in use.

The present invention is intended and adapted to overcome the difficulties and disadvantages inherent in devices of the type described, it being among the objects of the present invention to provide a retainer for matrix bands or strips, which is simple in construction and easy to manipulate.

It is also among the objects of the present invention to provide a retainer which allows automatic adjustment of the band by the mere tightening thereof regardless of the shape or size of the tooth being treated and without injury to the gum or cheek.

It is further among the objects of the present invention to provide a device of the character described, which allows a band to be locked in position without the necessity of using screws use is practically flush with the cheek, does notV create any discomfort to the patient and which may be manipulated wholly or in part from the front of the mouth.

In practicing the present invention there is provided an elongated frame which has mounted in the rear portion thereof a spindle which may be propelled longitudinally of the frame. A band holder is provided on the front 0i the frame and is pivoted thereto. The holder has a transverse slot through which one or both of the free ends of a band may be threaded. A slide is provided which is capable of locking the band relative to the frame and the manipulation of the spindle is capable of tightening the band around the tooth. When this is done, the free ends of the band are substantially parallel to the frame and lie close thereto and since the frame is usually a flat bar or U-shaped member, it has no tendency to cut into the gum or cheek. As the spindle is rotated to tightenthe band, the holder being pivoted will j oscillate until the band as a whole has accommodated itself to the shape of the tooth. Molar teeth are usually narrower at the base than at the grinding surface but even in such a case the band adheres closely to the molar even at the base thereof.

In the accompanying drawing constituting a part hereof and in which like reference characters indicate like parts,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a retainer for matrix strips or bands made in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l, some parts being removed and some parts being broken away for clearness.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view thereof taken from the opposite side of the retainer;

Fig. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view thereof taken along line 4 4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional View of the front end of the device shown in Fig. 4, illustrating the position of a matrix band locked therein, ready for application;

Figs. 6 and 7 are opposite side views oi a modiiied form of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a cross-section along line 8--8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 6;

Fig. is a cross-section along line ill-I9 of Fig. 8;

Figs. 11 and 12 are opposite side views of a further modification of the invention, and

Fig. 13 is a cross-section along line l3l3 of Fig. ll.

Referring to the embodiment shown in Fig. l, the frame consists of substantially parallel legs I and 2 joined together by a base 3. Leg l is somewhat longer than leg 2. Longitudinal slots'4 and 5 are provided in the central portions of legs i and 2, respectively and a transverse pivot 6 extends between the legs and is adapted t0. operate in the slots. and a spindle 8 has its forward end mounted in carriage 'l to allow rotation of the spindle/relia-l tive to the carriage. The rearof' spindle Yil passes into block 9 which is mounted for rotation in'base 3 and has a knob |0'at the rear thereof. The block is threaded as shown at Il and serves as a means for retracting or propelling carriage 'I when knob i9 is rotated. c S

Within forward end 'I2 of leg llis mounted a holder plate I3 which is pivoted at i4 on pivot 5 and has a transverse slot .I5'near its forward end. Tip IE of holder i3 is tapered by a smooth curve so as to provide a minimum area at the ltip thereof and thus avoid injury to the gum during the manipulation thereof.

on the outer face of leg 2 is la flat magimdmaiVv slide Il having the rear end I'I' thereof turned upwardly to provide means for moving it. The slide has a longitudinal slot I8 through which pin i9 secured to forward end 2 of leg 2 extends. A` i second holder 20 liesover slide Il having pin I9 passing through the rear portion thereof so as to allow oscillation of said pivoted holder about the pin. The forward end of holder 20 has a transverse slot therein and the tip 22 thereof ist.,

offset inwardly and is tapered to a small area. A guide pin 23 in portion 2 extends into arcuate slot 23 of holder 20 and serves as a means for limiting the arcuate travel of said holder. Front end 24 of slide Il is adapted to pass through slot.

is pulled back so that portion l2 friction'ally engages the edges of slot l5 and holds the other end of the band in position. As shown in Fig. 5,"end 25 of the band is practically parallel with frame l and provides a loop 2E which surrounds the tooth. The other end 21 of the band is also prac-v tically parallel to the frame. Then as knob i0 is rotated to further retract the carriage, portion 26 of the band is tightened about the tooth and when the tooth has an irregular shape, holder 29 oscillates about pivot |9, reducing the diameterY of the band in accordance with the reduced diameter of the portion of the tooth to which it moves. Because of the rounded tip 22, there is no interference with the movement of the holder and it may freely assume its proper position automatically until the tension in all portions of the band is approximately equal. Because of this the band fits tightly around the tooth, regardless of its shape and the ling material may then be introduced without danger of any leakage.

When the lling is completed, slide IT is re' tracted and end 21 of the band is then free to move. The retainer may then be slowly pulled from the mouth, causing end 2l to slip out of slot 2l, and the band then slips out from around the tooth. In prior appliances, it was usually necessary to lift the band off of the tooth, in which case breakage of the edge of the filling was very likely tooccur and this is eliminated by the present device. The manipulation for removal of the retainer may be accomplished in other manners,

orvboth-slots i5 and 2l may be freed and the retainer removed, after which the dentist may rem'ove the'bandfrom the patients tooth. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 6 to 10 inclusive, there is provided a fiat frame 38 having an angular` end 3|V and a longitudinal slotl32 in the central portion thereof. A pivot pin 33 passing through slot 32 is mounted on carriage 34 which carries threaded spindle 35. Said spindle passes through` collar 36 which is mounted for rotation in an opening in end 3l and a knob 3'! is securedto collar 36. Thereby rotation of the knob causes movement of carriage 34 relative to the frame. Slot 32 is provided with an enlarged opening 33 formingv a keyhole slot. A

The vforward endof frame 30 is tapered and has a transverse slot 39 formed in said end. This may be provided by punching out a tongue 40 at right angles to th-e plane rof frame 30. Tongue 48 and carriage 34 act as rest members to contact the teeth or gums andthus steady the retainer while being ttedand used. V

Band holder '4 I has'a transverse slot 42 adapted to be alined with slot 39and it may be provided with an arcuateopening to accommodate a pin which would limit the lateral motion thereof. An opening 44 in Ythe rearlportion of holder 4I accommodates pin 33 so that the holder oscillates about the pin as a center. Head 45 on the free end of pin'33 holds the pin and carriage in position' on theretainer. The diameter of head 45 is slightly less than -that 'of opening 38 so that it may be inserted or removed in assembling or dismantling the retainer.

A slide 46 has an v11pturned end 41 whereby it may be manipulated and' adjacent thereto is a concaveportion 48 adapted to seat in a similar portion 497m the rear of frame 30, forming a latch to hold slidei in position. Said slide has a longitudinal slot 59 through which pin 33 passes and a circular opening 5I' of sulicient diameter to accommodate head 45. y

In the operation of the device knob 31 is rotated Vto propel carriage 34 forwardly until slots 39 and 42 are in alinement. A band is folded so that its ends 52 are in contact and it is slipped through slots 39and 42, leaving a loop 53. Then knob 31 is rotated to lretract carriage 34 and holder 4l, causing the holder to slide under the end of slide 45 whereby the'latter overlays slot 42 and causes ends 52 of the band to lie practically parallel to the frame. Loop 53 is then placed over the tooth to be treated and further retraction of carriage 34 causes tightening of the band around the tooth. At the same time holder 43 is free to oscillate and it will move so as to insure a tight fit of loop 33 around the tooth from top to bottom.

Referring to the modification shown in Figs. 11-13, there is provided a frame 55 which isflat and elongated, having an angular extension 56 at Athe rear thereof; A rotating member 51 i'lts into an opening in extension 56 and a knob 58 is pro- 'vided to enable one to rotate the same. A threaded spindle 59 passes through a similarly threaded opening in member 51 and is anchored in carriage or slide 66.

A screw 6l having a head 62 is threaded into carriage 66 and passes through longitudinal slot 63 in frame 55. Plate 64 is riveted to the rear end of frame 55 by rivet 65 and has a longitudinal slot 66 in alinement with slot 63; the screw 6| passing through slot 66. Washers 61 are provided on screw 6I at both sides of plate 64 to properly anchor the screw.

kAn oscillating band holder 68 interposedbetween frame 55 and plate 64 is pivoted on screw 6i. The position of screw 6I may be changed to vary the distance between the frame and plate to accommodate bands of varying thickness.

A transverse slot 69 is provided in holder 68 and a complementary transverse slot 10 is formed in the forward end of frame 55 by punching a pair of tongues 1| out of said frame. The extreme end 12' of frame 55 is tapered so as to minimize interference with the placing of the retainer in position in the mouth.

A band of suitable material which may be of metal, plastic or the like, is doubled up. Carriage 60 is moved by rotation of -knob 58 forwardly so that slots 69 and 10 are in register. Ends 13 of the band are inserted through the slots forming a loop 14. By manipulation of knob 58, carriage 66 is retracted, drawing holder 68 into a position whereby ends 13 are clamped between the holder and plate 64. Loop 14 is placed around the tooth to be treated and carriage 60 is further retracted until loop 14 has become tightened around the tooth. During this operation holder 68 oscillates and assumes a position wherein the band is tightened about the tooth regardless of its shape.

There are numerous advantages inherent in the invention, as for example, the retainer may be used not only for iilling teeth but also for orthodontia, in which case the band may be tightened, leaving a folded line along which the band may be spot welded or soldered. When used for forming fillings, very little iinishing of the iilling is required and a denser lling isY obtained.

The construction as a whole, including the tapered ends of several elements, insures that there will be no cutting of or injury to the gum, cheek or tongue of the patient. The band may be easily attached to the tooth by a simple manipulation of the knob and the ends of the band lay iiat against the cheek or gum so as not to interfere with the dentists operations. It is easy to manipulate because there is only one member that has to be operated. The device may be readily removed by movement of the spindle without any damage to the iilling even though it may still be in a semi-soft condition. All widths of bands which are normally used by the dentist are adapted to be applied by a single retainer wherein the transverse slots are of sufcient width to accommodate the largest size of band.

The present -retainer eliminates the cumbersome and complicated devices previously used which did not give an adequate fitting of the band on the tooth. The structure is simple, being mainly of flat elements close together so as to require very little space, giving the dentist a better opportunity of treating the tooth. The

tightening of the band is automatic du'e to the oscillating holder and there is no danger of iilling material creeping under and out of the band.

The tongues are so located that they touch and engage the tooth and thus hold the retainer tightly even where a short tooth is being treated withoutv danger of the band slipping off. In the embodiment of Figs. 11 to 13, the oscillating holder is free to move in accordance withy the shape of the tooth as it does not press against the tooth but is held within the retainer. The screw 62may be rotated in one direction or the other in order to adjust the space to accommodate various thicknesses of bands. l

While the invention has been described setting forth several specific vembodiments thereof, the invention is not to be limited thereto as the limitations were for the purpose of indicating the breadth and scope of the invention. Various changes in the details of construction may be made without departing from the principles herein set forth, as for example, the spindle may be of different character and may have coarse threads so that very little turning of the knoby accomplishes the desired functions. An equivalent means may be substituted for the threaded arrangement shown and described. The form,l size and arrangement of the parts may be specifically different from those shown and the materials of construction may be any of those suitable for the purpose. may be made within the spirit of the invention, which is to be broadly construed and not to belimited except by the character of the claims appended hereto.

Iclaim:

l. A retainer for dental bands, comprising an elongated frame, a longitudinal propelling spin-y dle mounted in said frame, means at one end of' said frame for rotating said spindle, a band holder pivoted on said frame and having a trans-- verse slot for said band near the free end thereof, a slide adapted to move longitudinallyr mounted on Said frame, said slide being movable: for frictional engagement with said slot to lock a band relative thereto, the other end of said; spindle being operatively connected to said pivoted holder.

2. A retainer for dental bands, comprising an elongated frame, a longitudinal propelling spin-- dle mounted in said frame, means at one end of' said frame for rotating said spindle, a band holder pivoted on said frame and having a trans-- verse slot for said band near the free end thereof,. a slide adapted to move longitudinally mounted on said frame, said slide being movable for fric-- tional engagement with said slot to lock a bandi relative thereto, the other end of said spindle being operatively connected to said pivoted holder, a second band holder secured at one end to said other end of said spindle and having a transverse slot for said band, said second holder adapted to be moved by said spindle to cause said frame to engage the edge of said slot to lock a band relative thereto.

3. A retainer for dental bands, comprising an elongated frame, a longitudinal propelling spindle mounted in said frame, means at one end of said frame for rotating said spindle, a band holder pivoted on said frame and having a transverse slot for said band near the free end thereof, a slide adapted to move longitudinally mounted on said frame, said slide being movable through said slot for frictional engagement with said slot to lock a band relative thereto, the other end of These and other changes.

Lfsairl` vspindle being operatively sonnectedf =to said pivoted holder.

4; A retainer for dental :.baiids; comprising; an elongated Trame;` a longitudinalipropelling spindiefmc'iunted in-fsaidfframe-, means atlone end :of -`said"lframe for V`rotating fsaidspindle;` au. band holder pivotedonsaidrfr-ame andihaving atrans- 'verseslot for said-bandnearthe free end thereof, a slide adapted to move?lon'gihidinally'l amounted A`'onsaid"frame,-said slide being movable for;fric -tionalfengagementwithfsaid slot to 11o-ok aiband vrelative thereto, y the iother.` 'end-fof `@said spindle being bperatively I'connected arto-said '.pivoted holder, a second bandho'lderlsecured at Vone :end 'tolsaidl'other end orsaidspindle and having a transverse `sl'otlfor'said. band, said 'second :holder adapted-tortue 'movedl .by 'said spindle' to :cause `said1`fametofengage' the-edge of'saidslot .to lock i abend relative theretdsaidframebeing U.shape, eaehof saidlholders beinglon a legiofsaidu.

-5.- Alretainerfor-'dental-bandg comprisingan elongated' `frame',- Iaslongitudinal lpiop'ellingispin- 1' dle'lmounted in said frame, means at one endof said framefior rotating said .spindla. anhand "holder pivoted; onsaid frame and having a .transverse slot forsaid kband near the free 'endzthereo a slide adapted to -move 'longitudinally .mounted "on said -frameS-said :slidewbeinglmovable for frictionalengagement with said-slot :to .lock ak Aband "relativetheretog' the .other end ofzsaid Y,spindle lbeing operativelyA Vconnected .to said: pivoted holden a secondi bandiholdersecure atV one end toffsaidl-other endv ofv saidLspindlefandlhai/ing a -itansversefslot forsaid band, said secondholder adapted to be moved by said spindle-...to cause said.-

frame to engage the edge of said slotztollock a -bandrelative thereto, lsaidvfr-ame being U-shape, "eachlofi'saidfholdersbeingon alegof said U. and saidrotati'ng imeans eloeingat the. baselthereof.

l 6. A retainer for dentalbanda-comprising 1an:

elongatedframe, a'longitudinal propelling spindle inednted in` said frame, means-at ,one end of said "framefo'rrotating said spindle, afiloand :holder pivoted on said .frame andlhaving 4a transverse flsltffor Vs'aidlhandlnear'the freeendthereof, said Iframe having a' transverse slot attheiothergend thereof adapted to be alined with .rsaidrholder slot, said spindle having its free end securedftosthe .pivot Yoff-said holder, and'-meansstorufrictionally -1 engaging said slot to locka band relative. thereto. 1.

7; A- retainer for dental bands;` comprisinglan elongated frame, alongitudinal propellingspindle mounted in said frame; .means'at one end oi-,Said 'frame for rotating said spindle, afband, holder pivoted on said frame and having agtransverseY slot for said band near theifree end thereof, said frame having a transverse slot at the fothen end vthereof adapted to be alined withii'said5holder slot, said spindle having its free end secured to the pivot of said holder, and a slide mounted on said frame for frictionally engaging said slot .to look a band relative thereto.

8. A retainer for` dental'r bands; ioomprisingpan elongated frame, a longitudinal.propelling;spindle mounted in said frame, means Iationezend of .s'aidi frame 'for rotating said` spindle, a .band.; .holder pivoted on saidframeand having atransverse slotA for said band near the free endthereof, said *frame having a transversexslot at theothen end Ythereof"adapted to,` be alinedzyvv'ith:saidholden` slot, said spindle having; itsifreelend seoured to `the' pivot of ysaid holder. ,z'andra slidemounted on #said frame for Vfrictio'nallv engaging'rsaidY slot to lock a-bandv relative thereto and yhavingia.longi- "=-tudina1;s1ot fthroughswhich: said pivot passes.

8 9.@AA retainer --for :dental Abands, comprising .an elongatedrame, aalongitudinal propelling spindle mounted in said trama-means atone end'df lsaid drame-lier `rotating said spindle, al band. .holder 5 -pivoted on-fsaidframe and having atransverse slot for said band near the freeendthereof, said :frame `having a transverse .slot vat the other-end Ythereof 4adapted toV be alined with said holder=slot, --saidspindlevhavingits free end secured to the 10 pivot ofV said holder, and means for frictionally 7engaging saidfslot to lock a Aband relativethereto,

`:said frame-:being flat, -an angular extension-at fsaid iirstzendfsaid spindle vrotating .means lbeing mounted on said extension.

' 10.'` AJ-.retainer--for:dentalbands,oomprising an elongated framefa longitudinal propelling spindle Y mounted -infsaidframa .means at-.one end-of said frame Yfor rotating.` said spindlef a bandholder pivoted.v on-saidl frame and having. astransverse .20 .slotfonsaid band -near .the free:end .thereoffsaid frame having a-.transverse yslot at'the-othervend thereof -.adapted. to .be .alined :with i said .holder slot, said-spindle having .its free7 end secured.. to fithespivot'of. saidholder, and a.- slide. mountedon V25 said frame for friotionallyengaging said. slot A. to

lock a band relative.thereto,. saidpivoted .holder beingloeated betweensaid frame and slide.

11. .A retainer lfordental bands, comprising an elongated frame, a. longitudinal. propelling vspindle 3dmounted ,in said frame, means -atene endfor vmovingsaid spindle, azband holder .pi-votedon :said frame andha-ving a transverseslot-.for said .band nearthe free end thereof, a slidelmounted -on saidfframe Vformovement Arelative `to said 35.holder-1tolnovel over said: Slot, other end.' of saidzspindle being operatively -oonnected tosaid Apivoted Yholder,whereby said holder .may `be `moved. relatively. to said frame.

x12. A retainer for,- dentalbands, comprisingan rocelongated frame, a longitudinal propelling. spindle mounted in said fra-ine, means atoneendfor ,movingaidfspindle, a band holder pivoted on said-,frameend having atransverse. slot .for said ',bandneanthe-free end thereof, the otherend of .5 said-frame having aslot adapted to. be alined "WhiSaidholdenslot, a slide mounted .onsaid frame for;movementnrelative to said holdento ..IHOVQ-'Qver said slot,. the other end of said spindle :ffbeing operatively connected to a said-....pivoted 5f, holder, whereby said holder may be moved irelatively to'said fra-me. Vl-1S., Aretainerfor .dental bands, comprisingvan elongated Vframaa longitudinal propelling spindle :mounted in, said 1irame,-,.-means atA-,one-Vendifor laa-nriovirlg,said spindle, a-bandholder .pivoted on said frame and@ having a transverseslotjor said band near theffree end thereof,;the 1other .end ofgsaidiframefhavingla slotzadapted to. belalined with said h olderslot,:.the .edge of said;` frame slot edhaving, at ,least..one., upturned tongue, a` slide fmounted-on'saidframe for movement'relative to saidholder. toi-move .oversaid slot, thezother end .of said spindle.beingoperatively connected to a said .pivoted holder; whereby said holdermay. be 65 moved relatively to said frame.

v14. .A1 retainer foridental bands-.comprising an elongatedframe; a longitudinal propelling spindle mounted in said frame, means at one end.for -moving saidispindle, .a Vband holder...pivoted on 70 isaid frameA and having a transverse slotior said bandA near ftheiree end thereof, a slide mounted ron said sframe'ior movementrelative to .said holder. to.:moveoverfsaidsloa.the other` end of f said spindle beingv operatively i connected to l said 7spivotedmholder, cwhereby l. .saidwholden may be moved relatively to said frame, said holder, frame and slide being substantially iiat with said holder intermediate said other elements.

15. A retainer for dental bands, comprising a pair of elongated parallel members secured together at one end, a longitudinallyg movable spindle mounted on one of said members, a iiat band holder between said members 4and being substantially vin contact with both of said members, a carriage attached to said spindle, said holder pivoted on said carriage, transverse slots in said holder and one of said members, whereby movement of said spindle in one direction folds and locks the ends of said band iiat against said retainer andfsimultaneously tightens said band around a tooth, while said pivoted holder oscillates to accommodate a tooth of any size or shape.

16. In a retainer for dental bands having a frame, a propelling spindle mounted therein, a 20 pair of band holders having transverse slots on said frame, one ofl holders adapted to be shifted by movement of aid spindle, the improvement which comprisesj 'pair of tongues extending outwardly on opp? l, sides of one Yof said slots constituting meahsffor minimizing interference -by said retainer with placing the same in operative position.

DAVID REITER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Reiter Mar. la, 1950 

